Training

Our school council training program - seven key areas

Welcome to our school council training program. Informed by principals, teachers, parents, students and community members who shared their school council knowledge and experience with us, our training can meet your school's needs in the seven key areas below. It supports the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development school council training package. It is also informed by the Our Community Certificate IV in Governance training program.

As well, our vodcasts are a powerful training tool, and cover the seven areas with practical examples and through interviews with school council and community members.

Schools use our seven-part training program to develop their own training. Feel free to use it. For your next training, call the VICCSO office today on 0402 152 634 or e-mail us at info@viccso.org.au.

1. The role of a school council

The effective functioning of a school is assisted by understanding and respecting the distinction between school governance and the professional management of the school. If council members seek to micromanage the school, there is a lack of clarity about a council's role and the strategic issues for which council members' knowledge, skills and perspectives are needed. A great council is engaged in strategic discussions and decisions that make the best use of members' time.

The governance role of a school council includes three things:

Vision. Setting the school's strategic direction and goals

Guidance. Developing and approving plans and policies and monitoring their implementation

Accountability. Overseeing the school’s performance.

What is governance? Definitions. As well, a school council is a part of a school's broader governance that includes the leadership team, parent group and SRC. Fundamental to a great school is the partnership between the principal and school council. With their distinct but complementary roles, how a principal's leadership role is enhanced through a school council that functions well.

Legislation. Accountability to the Minister. School council membership. What do school councils do?

Objectives

Functions

Powers.

What’s really involved as part of a council's governance role?

Strategic planning

Finance

Risk management

Policy work.

In developing a council's role, it is important to understand:

The practical question of why it is important for a school to be governed

3. Planning and reporting

The meaning of strategy. The strategic and operational. Identifying strategic issues. How are you personally a strategic thinker?

Five key documents:

Self-evaluation report

School review report

School strategic plan

Annual implementation plan

Annual report.

Use of a school council workplan. A simple Word table with months along the top and focus areas along the side. Areas may include Strategic Plan, Student Progress and Achievement, Budget, Curriculum Policy, and Policy Review.

Step-by-step strategic planning process. What are good ways to develop a plan?